Keep in mind that you're a novice lifter for a longer period of time than you think you are. Novice lifting can last anywhere from a few months to a year or two, depending on how hard you hit the weights and where you started.

Once you've reached the point where you don't make regular progress on the SS program, you are ready to move on to the intermediate stage, which can last you for a good number of years. Find it HERE:

If you're a very advanced lifter (many, many years of CONSISTENT weight training), then there are lot of programs out there, and which one you pick is simply a matter of preference. If you're really that advanced, you should know what works for you and what doesn't by this point.

Tried them. Not too bad. My main focus is making more healthy food/drink decisions and working out -- primarily the bike at the gym. My main concer is shedding pounds, rather than adding muscles, bulk, etc.

Tried them. Not too bad. My main focus is making more healthy food/drink decisions and working out -- primarily the bike at the gym. My main concer is shedding pounds, rather than adding muscles, bulk, etc.

As far as beverages, other than pop, what should I avoid?!

With beverages, I'd just watch the calories (and sugars to a lesser extent). People don't realize that they can suck down 1/3-1/2 of their daily caloric needs in a coffee shake (assuming that you're trying to restrict calories, not bulk up). They can completely screw their diet without feeling like they've eaten anything.

__________________In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
- H. L. Mencken

I recently got a gym membership at Maximus in Topeka. I do the bike for 30 minutes and it kills calories like whoa. I'd like to shed 20-30 pounds before I go back to Wichita for my birthday in March. I've avoided pop and fried foods for the most part. I'm no cook by any stretch of the imagination, but I need to eat healthier -- for sure.

I recently got a gym membership at Maximus in Topeka. I do the bike for 30 minutes and it kills calories like whoa. I'd like to shed 20-30 pounds before I go back to Wichita for my birthday in March. I've avoided pop and fried foods for the most part. I'm no cook by any stretch of the imagination, but I need to eat healthier -- for sure.

I do Crossfit 2-3 days a week and a regular workout out 1-2 of the other days. It's a good balance, I get both the strength and cardio! I only workout 1 time a day, but some of the Crossfit guys that are the best goes in the morning for the strength workouts and do the CF workout later in the day. There are a few that are phenomenal.

Can I ask how old you are? I understand and I can't find the study at the moment, but combing weight training and cardio is much more efficient at weight loss then cardio alone.

I'm 27 in March. I'm not questioning the combination, but I do the bike because it makes me feel comfortable. I know that sounds lame and doesn't make sense to some. If I felt comfortable I would be on the elliptical rather than the bike. But, it's just awkward to me.

And as far as weights go I wouldn't even know what weight to begin at.